DOWNTON ABBEY {SEASON 6, EPISODE 8} (TV)
Summary
One in this dramatic British series about the aristocrats and servants who dwell at the Downton Abbey estate in post-Edwardian Yorkshire.
In this episode, in August 1925, Cora urges Edith to tell Bertie the truth about Marigold before accepting his proposal, and Mrs. Patmore is horrified that her bed-and-breakfast has been deemed "a house of ill repute" thanks to an adulterous couple posing as spouses. Bertie's cousin and employer, the 6th Marquess of Hexham, unexpectedly dies of malaria in Tangiers; Mr. Molesley prepares to begin teaching classes as Daisy learns that she also did well on her exams. Everyone – except Mr. Carson – is privately amused by Mrs. Patmore's "scandal," and the family is floored to learn that Bertie was actually his cousin's heir. They then realize that he is now the 7th Marquess – and that Edith will outrank them all if she marries him. Mary, however, spitefully suggests that Bertie will "throw her over" for someone more high-ranking; when Tom again confronts her about her rejection of Henry, she reminds him that her class has to "marry sensibly."
Robert and Rosamund argue about Edith's dilemma as a grieving Bertie arrives at Downton, and Thomas learns that he has been rejected from another job on the grounds of being "overqualified." Mrs. Patmore discovers that the adultery matter has been settled, though all of her other guests have cancelled their reservations; elsewhere, Mr. Molesley struggles to maintain order in his classroom full of rowdy village children. Bertie, still very much wanting to marry Edith, admits that his mother has a "stern" view of class and rank; Tom overrides Mary's protests and calls Henry, who arrives at Downton and informs her that she "can't get rid" of him so easily. Rosamund observes that the pair are clearly in love, but Mary is insulted when Henry suggests that she is only rejecting him because of his lack of money; Mr. Bates points out that Anna's mistress is "a bit of a bully." Edith tells Bertie that she is "not as simple as she used to be" and hesitantly accepts him. However, when Mary discovers that Henry has taken her at her word and departed, she cruelly reveals Edith's secret to Bertie over breakfast.
Robert and Cora decide to make a show of visiting Mrs. Patmore's establishment to redeem her local reputation, though Mr. Carson disapproves; Isobel informs Amelia that she will not return to Dickie until Larry himself makes amends and accepts her into the family. Bertie, stunned by the news about Marigold, sadly admits that he cannot marry someone with whom he doesn't share trust; Edith, crushed by how close she came to a "perfectly wonderful" life, says she understands and tearfully bids him farewell. Tom furiously upbraids Mary, not fooled by her claims of an innocent mistake, declaring her "frightened and alone" by her own bad choices. Before heading to London, Edith finally takes off the gloves and confronts her sister. She delivers a blistering speech, ruthlessly adding that Henry - though a perfect match - was lucky to escape her. At the same time, Miss Baxter notices Thomas' odd behavior and discovers that he has slit his wrists in the bathtub. She, along with Mrs. Hughes and Andy, rush to save his life. Daisy overhears Mr. Molesley assuring his working-class students that education can help everyone, not just "toffs," revealing that he, too, is currently in service.
The family is startled to learn of Thomas' suicide attempt, and an increasingly regretful Mary brings Master George to visit his convalescing friend, realizing that she and Thomas have both damaged their own lives via mean-spirited behavior toward others. Laura tells Edith that, thanks to the success of her advice column, she has invited "Cassandra Jones" to come to the office in person, while back in Yorkshire Tom takes drastic action and summons Violet from France with a letter explaining her granddaughters' troubles. Mary is surprised when her traditional granny puts aside class differences and points out that she and Henry are sincerely in love, but Mary tearfully admits that she can't bear the thought of being a "crash widow" a second time. Explaining that she "believes in love," Violet urges her to make things right with both Edith and Henry. Robert and Mr. Carson, surprised at the depth of Thomas' emotions, agree that he can remain at Downton for the time being, and Edith is shocked to find that "Cassandra" is none other than her grandmother's butler, Mr. Spratt. Mary seeks Matthew's blessing in the churchyard, and Isobel, also visiting his grave, assures her that she's "delighted" about her remarriage plans. The Crawleys pose for a post-tea photo with their loyal cook, thus erasing any negative rumors about her establishment; Mary calls Henry back to Downton and accepts him at long last, explaining that she believes them to be truly "equal."
The pair decide to wed right away with Tom serving as best man in Mary's nuptials again; Edith then makes an unexpected return, skeptical of Mary's apology but feeling that their "shared memories" as sisters outweigh their personal animosity. Violet sternly informs Dickie that "the ball is in Larry's court" in regard to Isobel, and Mary and Henry are married in a humble ceremony. As the couple drive off in a carriage, Edith lovingly observes her daughter as she struggles to deal with her heartache over Bertie.
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: November 30, 1999 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:12:41
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 129567
- GENRE: Drama, historical
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, historical; Families; Weddings; Romance; England
- SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 2011-2016
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Gareth Neame … Executive Producer
- Nigel Marchant … Executive Producer
- Liz Trubridge … Executive Producer
- Rebecca Eaton … Executive Producer
- Susanne Simpson … Executive Producer, Senior Series Producer
- Julian Fellowes … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Steven Ashley … Senior Producer
- Chris Croucher … Producer
- Erin Delaney … Producer
- Joanne Crowther … Line Producer
- David Evans … Director
- John Lunn … Music by
- Man Made Music … Theme Music by
- Laura Linney … Host
- Hugh Bonneville … Cast, Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham
- Laura Carmichael … Cast, Lady Edith Crawley
- Jim Carter … Cast, Mr. Charles Carson
- Raquel Cassidy … Cast, Phyllis Baxter
- Brendan Coyle … Cast, John Bates
- Michelle Dockery … Cast, Lady Mary Crawley
- Kevin Doyle … Cast, Joseph Molesley
- Michael Fox … Cast, Andy Parker
- Joanne Froggatt … Cast, Anna Bates
- Matthew Goode … Cast, Henry Talbot
- Robert James-Collier … Cast, Thomas Barrow
- Allen Leech … Cast, Tom Branson
- Phyllis Logan … Cast, Mrs. Elsie Hughes
- Elizabeth McGovern … Cast, Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham
- Sophie McShera … Cast, Daisy Mason
- Lesley Nicol … Cast, Mrs. Beryl Patmore
- Maggie Smith … Cast, Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham
- Penelope Wilton … Cast, Isobel Crawley
- Howard Ward … Cast, Sergeant Willis
- Samantha Bond … Cast, Lady Rosamund Painswick
- Douglas Reith … Cast, Lord Dickie Merton
- Patrick Brennan … Cast, Mr. Dawes
- Harry Hadden-Paton … Cast, Bertie Pelham
- Jake Rowley … Cast, Paparazzo
- Hayley Jayne Standing … Cast, Lucy
- Erin Surtees … Cast, Schoolchild
- Lucas Culff … Cast, Schoolchild
- Phoebe Sparrow … Cast, Amelia Cruikshank
- Antonia Bernath … Cast, Laura Edmunds
- Victoria Emslie … Cast, Audrey
- Jeremy Swift … Cast, Septimus Spratt
- John Voce … Cast, Photographer
- Harriet Walter … Cast, Lady Shackleton
- Paul Copley … Cast, Mr. Albert Mason
- Michael Cochrane … Cast, Reverend Travis